STD Testing in University of California-Merced, CA: Free, Same-Day & Confidential
Merced reported gonorrhea cases run about 40% lower than the US average. If you need STI testing in University of California-Merced after a possible exposure or as part of routine care, you may have options through clinics that bill insurance or offer sliding-scale fees, or, you could use private labs with flat self-pay rates. To weigh your options, see the list.
STD testing near University of California-Merced, CA
7 testing options are listed for University of California-Merced, CA. The nearest, Dignity Health, is about 3.1 miles away. Compare community and public clinics, private labs, and at-home kits below.
How to read these listings
Listings tagged Community health center are federally funded health centers and rural clinics that treat everyone regardless of insurance or ability to pay: required to bill on a sliding fee scale and provide confidential care, and in many states minors may consent to their own STI testing. A Title X tag flags centers funded for confidential family-planning services; confirm current participation when you call.
Source: CMS FQHC & Rural Health Clinic enrollment files (data.cms.gov), refreshed quarterly. Title X status reflects the latest OPA grantee list.
Today's offer: $10 off any test panel, applied automatically at checkout.
Community health center 3.1 miles
Dignity Health
4.2(2,938)?
Review sources
Google2,933
EasySTD5
Rated 4.2 out of 5 from 2938 reviews
A safety-net rural health clinic about 3 miles from University of California-Merced. Sliding-scale STD testing and care are typical here, call ahead to confirm the exact panel and pricing.
Golden Valley Health Centers in Merced runs on a sliding scale with Medicaid and private insurance accepted, covering gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV, herpes, hepatitis C, and TB, bacterial infections treated same visit, with an appointment required and Spanish-language care available throughout.
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Herpes and Hepatitis C Tested Here
Without herpes or hepatitis C on the same order, those infections wait. Often months, often another clinic, often another co-pay. Golden Valley Health Centers tests for both alongside the standard bacterial panel, so a single appointment closes the full picture rather than leaving gaps that compound.
PrEP and PEP Prescribed On-Site
Golden Valley Health Centers prescribes both PrEP and PEP directly, which means ongoing HIV prevention medication is managed by the same provider who handles testing. No separate pharmacy referral needed to start or maintain a prevention regimen.
Spanish Spoken Through Every Stage of Care
A missed nuance during a diagnosis or treatment conversation at Golden Valley Health Centers can mean a prescription misunderstood or a follow-up skipped: Spanish is spoken directly by staff, so the clinical exchange happens without a layer of interpretation between the patient and the facts of their care.
Planned Parenthood Mar Monte in Merced tests for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, and HIV on a sliding-scale fee with Medicaid and insurance accepted; bacterial infections treated same visit, and an appointment is required.
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Spanish Spoken, Interpretation Available Beyond
Planned Parenthood Mar Monte in Merced offers care in Spanish and interpretation services for other languages, which means nuanced conversations about prevention, PrEP timing, or treatment decisions happen without a layer of approximation between a patient and their provider.
Title X Keeps Minor Patients Legally Protected
Title X designation gives Planned Parenthood Mar Monte in Merced a concrete legal obligation: services for minors are confidential by federal program rules, not just clinic policy: meaning a young person's testing, treatment, or family planning care cannot be disclosed without their consent.
No Secondary Appointment for PrEP or PEP
Without an on-site prescriber for PrEP or PEP, a person in Merced faces a second appointment at a separate practice. Days lost and prevention interrupted. Planned Parenthood Mar Monte carries both, with PrEP available for uninsured patients, so prevention doesn't stall between referral and prescription.
More ways to get tested in University of California-Merced, CA
Beyond the dedicated testing centers above: at-home kits by mail, hospital labs certified for STI testing, local clinicians who can order a panel during a regular visit, pharmacies for self-test kits and prescriptions, and online PrEP & treatment.
At-home STD testing in University of California-Merced, CA
The nearest testing center is about 3 miles away, if you'd rather skip the trip, an at-home kit ships to University of California-Merced, you collect the sample privately, and mail it back to a CLIA-certified lab. Results come online in days, with a clinician available if anything is positive. Same labs as a clinic, no waiting room, and you can read how accurate at-home STD tests are before you order.
Want a free option first? The CDC-supported TakeMeHome program mails free at-home HIV self-test kits, and, in many areas, free STI kits, to your door, with no insurance or payment needed. The paid kits below add broader panels and faster turnaround.
In-home collection
Quest Diagnostics
$79 & up
Panel:
8-infection panel incl. chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, syphilis, hepatitis & herpes: single tests too
Sample:
Quest Mobile: a phlebotomist collects your sample at home
Every kit uses CLIA-certified labs. At-home testing is for screening; a reactive result should be confirmed and treated by a clinician. Prices and panels shown are illustrative and change often, confirm current details on the provider's site.
Also in the area
Other CLIA-certified labs near University of California-Merced, CA
Beyond the public testing sites above, these federally certified (CLIA) labs serve Merced County, each lab's town is shown on its card below. Many test through a doctor's order or by appointment rather than walk-in, so call ahead to confirm STD/STI testing and availability before visiting.
Source: CMS CLIA registry (Provider of Services), Q1 2026. Federal public records: active CLIA-certified laboratories near University of California-Merced. A CLIA certificate records only that a laboratory is federally certified — it does not confirm the site performs STD testing, nor its hours, price or access. Inclusion is not an endorsement; always call to verify.
Local clinicians
Clinicians near University of California-Merced, CA who may help arrange STD testing
Beyond dedicated clinics, 190 primary-care, OB-GYN, infectious-disease and other clinicians have a CMS practice record within 30 miles of University of California-Merced. They may be able to evaluate symptoms or order a confidential STD panel during a regular visit, and 46 offer telehealth.
These are registry-listed clinicians, not dedicated STD-testing clinics. CMS records do not independently verify current licensure, testing services, availability, price, or new-patient status. Confirm each detail before booking. Source: CMS Doctors & Clinicians.
Nearby pharmacies
Pharmacies near University of California-Merced, CA
Compare the pharmacies closest to University of California-Merced, CA. Contact a location directly to confirm pharmacy-counter hours, services, prices, and product availability before visiting.
Showing the 5 closest pharmacies to University of California-Merced, CA.
Directory records identify nearby pharmacies. Service, stock, price, and hours information is shown only when supported by current location-specific evidence.
Prevention & treatment
PrEP, prevention & online treatment
Testing is one step. For residents of University of California-Merced, telehealth covers the rest: HIV-prevention medication (PrEP) and DoxyPEP to lower future risk, and discreet online treatment if a result comes back positive. All prescribed by licensed U.S. clinicians.
Online treatment
Nurx
Visit from $0 insured
Telehealth STI treatment and sexual-health care, delivered or to your pharmacy
Pricing varies by insurance and changes often, confirm on the provider's site. These services are not a substitute for emergency care.
STD stats & rates
STDs & HIV in Merced County: the local picture
How reported STI rates in Merced County, the county that includes University of California-Merced, compare with California and U.S. averages, based on the most recent 2023 surveillance data. An estimated ~100% of residents are aged 15–34 (ACS), the age group with the highest reported chlamydia and gonorrhea rates nationally.
#11
#11 of 58 California counties for chlamydia, a higher rate than 81% of the state
Reported STD rates per 100,000, Merced County vs California vs U.S.
Merced CountyCaliforniaU.S.▲▼ = Merced County vs the state average
Infection
Merced County
California
United States
Chlamydia
498.11,454 cases▲ 1%
491.1
492.2
Gonorrhea
108.2316 cases▼ 43%
190.2
179.5
Syphilis (P&S)
14.442 cases▼ 12%
16.3
15.8
Syphilis (early)
11.333 cases▼ 41%
19.1
16
Syphilis (late/unknown)
76.4223 cases▲ 64%
46.7
29.5
Rates per 100,000 population, 2023. Source: CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus (county, state & U.S., all-ages basis). Population figures: U.S. Census Bureau ACS. These figures are the latest available surveillance estimates. Bars are scaled to the highest rate shown.
Reading these numbers: reported case rates only count infections that were actually tested for and diagnosed, so they track local screening effort as much as true spread: a higher rate can reflect more testing, a lower one less. Either way, most STIs cause no symptoms, so treat the figures above as context rather than a verdict, and test on the CDC's schedule regardless of how your area looks.
Reported STD rates in Merced County over time (per 100,000)
Chlamydia ▲ 9% vs 2022
Chlamydia Gonorrhea Syphilis (P&S)
Between 2020 and 2023 in Merced County, chlamydia has risen from 461.2 to 498.1 per 100,000 (8%), gonorrhea has fallen from 236.5 to 108.2 per 100,000 (54%), and P&S syphilis has fallen from 21 to 14.4 per 100,000 (31%).
The 2020 dip reflects reduced pandemic-era screening, not lower transmission. Source: CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus (county, state & U.S., all-ages basis).
Community health context
What shapes testing access in and around University of California-Merced, CA
Adults uninsured
13.2%
No routine checkup
28.8%
No transportation
12.7%
Binge drinking
15.9%
Frequent mental distress
19%
Depression
22.7%
Below poverty line
19.1%
Primary-care ratio
2,387 : 1
Merced County
Primary-care shortage score 20 / 26
Medically Underserved Area · IMU 55.3
Social Vulnerability Index · 97th percentile nationally
Sources: CDC PLACES (ZIP), County Health Rankings, CDC/ATSDR SVI, HRSA HPSA, HRSA MUA/P, Neighborhood Atlas ADI. Lower insurance coverage, fewer routine checkups, and a thin primary-care ratio all raise the value of low-cost public clinics and at-home testing in Merced County.
Local HIV snapshot
HIV in Merced County (2023)
People living with HIV
192 / 100k
New diagnoses (2023)
53cases countywide
On PrEP (coverage)
23.3%
Merced County HIV care continuum (2023)
Merced County recorded 22.6 new HIV diagnoses per 100,000 (2023), against 14.9 statewide and 13.7 nationally. Among Merced County residents living with HIV, 81% are in care · 72.9% are virally suppressed. Early, routine testing is what moves these numbers: it is the entry point to PrEP, treatment, and viral suppression.
Sources: AIDSVu (Emory/Gilead) · CDC AHEAD · CDC AtlasPlus · CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus (county care continuum). The CDC recommends everyone aged 13–64 test for HIV at least once: every lab and clinic listed above offers HIV testing, and free rapid HIV testing is available at a local health department.
Pregnant or planning to be?Congenital syphilis is the fastest-rising STI: what to test, and when
Congenital syphilis, passed from parent to baby in pregnancy, is the fastest-rising STI in the country. U.S. cases climbed from 2,163 in 2020 to 3,882 in 2023. It is almost entirely preventable: the CDC recommends a syphilis test at the first prenatal visit, and every clinic and lab listed for Merced County tests for syphilis.
Source: CDC NCHHSTP AtlasPlus, 2023 (county-level congenital syphilis is not published).
Compiled and checked by EasySTD's editorial team against CDC and public-health sources. This is educational information, not a substitute for advice from a licensed clinician. Our editorial guidelines →
University of California-Merced (Merced County, California) is a small-town community. The handful of local options is easily extended with at-home kits and telehealth.
Getting there
How residents reach STD testing in University of California-Merced, CA
Walkability12.34 / 20 · Above average
University of California-Merced scores 12.34/20 on the EPA walkability index, so many trips are walkable or a short ride, though a car still gives you the widest choice of testing centers.
Source: EPA National Walkability Index 2021.
ZIP 95340 snapshot
Residents
38,045
Median age
31.8
Median income
$65,141
ZIP-level Census figures for the wider 95340 area around University of California-Merced: a single ZIP can span several communities, so they describe the area, not University of California-Merced alone.
University of California-Merced sits in Merced County, ZIP 95340. Local context that shapes where residents test:
Local landmarks
Carol Tomlinson-Keasey Quad
Carol Tomlinson-Keasey Memorial Quad
Lake Yosemite County Park
Davenport Park
Richard Bernasconi Neighborhood Park
Bob Carpenter Park
Nearby cities & towns
STD testing near University of California-Merced, CA
Just outside University of California-Merced? These nearby communities have their own testing guides: clinics, at-home kits, and free screening close to home.
STD testing in University of California-Merced, CA: screening, costs & privacy
Everything to know before you test in Merced County: the CDC's screening guidelines, each infection's detection window, per-test reference prices, and your privacy rights under California law. If you have symptoms right now, our confidential symptom checker maps them to the tests worth considering.
Who should test, and whenCDC screening schedule + each infection's detection window
Who should get tested, and how often
Based on current CDC screening recommendations.
Group
Tests
How often
Everyone aged 13–64
HIV
At least once
Sexually active women under 25
Chlamydia, gonorrhea
Every year
Women 25+ with new or multiple partners
Chlamydia, gonorrhea
Every year
Pregnant people
HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B & C, chlamydia
Early in pregnancy
Gay & bisexual men (MSM)
Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV
Every 3–6 months
Anyone who shares injection equipment
HIV, hepatitis B & C
At least yearly
All adults at least once
Hepatitis C
At least once
When to test: STD detection windows
Testing too early can return a false negative, confirm timing with a University of California-Merced-area provider.
What each STD test costsMedicare reference prices per lab test, a benchmark before you pay out of pocket
These are the federal Medicare reference prices for processing each lab test. Public clinics and the community health centers serving University of California-Merced often test free or on a sliding scale; private labs and at-home kits bundle several tests into one fee. Use this as a per-test benchmark before you pay out of pocket, or see the full guide to STD test costs for insurance, free, and at-home options.
Test
Reference price
CPT / HCPCS
Chlamydia (NAAT)
$47.80
87491
Gonorrhea (NAAT)
$47.80
87591
Trichomoniasis (NAAT)
$47.76
87661
HIV-1/2 antigen/antibody
$26.87
87389
HIV-1/2 antibody
$22.44
86703
Syphilis (RPR/VDRL)
$5.61
86592
Syphilis (treponemal antibody)
$17.49
86780
Herpes (HSV NAAT)
$47.76
87529
Hepatitis B surface antigen
$15.33
87340
Hepatitis C antibody
$29.16
86803
Source: Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule, CMS, 2025 rates (data.cms.gov). Reference rate for the lab assay only: a clinic visit, sample collection, or a bundled multi-test panel may cost more. Medicaid and most insurers cover STD screening at no out-of-pocket cost.
Confidentiality & consent in CaliforniaMinor consent and partner treatment (EPT) under state law, plus how to test privately
Two things that actually depend on California law: who can consent, and whether partners can be treated without their own visit. Everything else about testing privately is the same nationwide (see below).
Can a minor consent on their own?
In California, a minor aged 12 or older can consent to confidential STI testing and treatment on their own, no parental permission is required.
Can my partner be treated too? (EPT)
California permits Expedited Partner Therapy (EPT): if you test positive for chlamydia or gonorrhea, your provider can give you medication (or a prescription) to pass to your partner, no separate exam or appointment needed for them.
Keeping a test private works the same in every state. Whether an STD test shows on insurance (the EOB), how to test anonymously, and self-pay options that leave no insurance trail don’t change by location.
Source: Guttmacher Institute, Minors' Access to STI Services; CDC, Legal Status of Expedited Partner Therapy. General information, not legal advice.
Good to Know
STD testing FAQs for University of California-Merced, CA
Answers to the questions people ask most before getting tested.
How many places can I test near University of California-Merced, CA?
There are 7 options within a 30-mile drive.
How much does STD testing cost near University of California-Merced, CA?
Free at public clinics. Private labs run about $24 for one test and $139 for a full panel; at-home kits are $49+.
Where can I get tested for free near University of California-Merced, CA?
Public health clinics nearby provide free testing.
What's included in a full panel near University of California-Merced, CA?
A full panel typically covers chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B and C.
How common is chlamydia in Merced County?
Merced County reported ~498 chlamydia cases per 100,000 in 2023, above the California average.
Can someone under 18 get tested in California without a parent?
In California, people under 18 can consent to confidential STD testing and treatment on their own.
Can I get PrEP near University of California-Merced, CA?
Yes, PrEP, a daily pill that helps prevent HIV in HIV-negative people, is available in the area.
How do I prepare for an STD test near University of California-Merced, CA?
Little prep is needed, bring an ID and insurance if you have it, and note your exposure dates and any symptoms; for a urine test, avoid peeing for about an hour beforehand.
How do I tell a partner I tested positive?
Telling recent partners lets them test and treat; many health departments offer confidential partner-notification help.
Is STD testing part of prenatal care?
Pregnancy screening is standard; ask about an early-pregnancy STI panel.
